1Center for East West Medicine,
Department of Medicine and, 2Division of General Internal Medicine
and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of
California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and RAND Corporation,
Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA

This study
examined whether a traditional low-impact mind–body exercise, Tai Chi, affects
health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and headache impact in an adult
population suffering from tension-type headaches. Forty-seven participants were
randomly assigned to either a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi
instruction or a wait-list control group. HRQOL (SF-36v2) and headache status
(HIT-6™) were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10 and 15 weeks post-baseline
during the intervention period. Statistically significant (P < 0.05)
improvements in favor of the intervention were present for the HIT score and
the SF-36 pain, energy/fatigue, social functioning, emotional well-being and
mental health summary scores.

Conclusion: A 15 week intervention of Tai Chi
practice was effective in reducing headache impact and also effective in
improving perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.